Outside Chentang Pass, the great river roared.
The muddy floodwaters were like unbridled dragons, tearing at the land along both banks.
Yet even more chaotic than the flood was the human heart.
To the east, within the Chan Sect camp, dozens of enormous Water Mirrors floated in midair, displaying endlessly scrolling river diversion diagrams and dam structure analyses so complex they made one dizzy.
Chi Jingzi was spraying spittle as he explained to a group of trembling mortal craftsmen what the "Optimal Solution for Fluid Mechanics" was.
"Do you see this? This angle! It has to be thirty-seven degrees! One degree off, and the dam's load-bearing capacity will drop by ten percent!"
The craftsmen exchanged glances, their eyes full of reverence for immortals—and despair at the thought of knowledge...
To the west, the Western Sect camp presented an entirely different scene.
Massive porridge sheds stretched for miles, and steaming bowls of rice gruel gave off an enticing fragrance.
Medicine Master and Maitreya, the two chief disciples, wore suffering-filled smiles as they personally ladled porridge for the disaster victims.
"Friends, this flood is not a natural disaster. It is a trial!"
"As long as you hold our Buddha in your hearts and chant our sect's true words day and night, boundless vows will bless you. Your homes will remain safe, and the flood will naturally recede!"
Holding their hot porridge, the victims wept with gratitude and immediately began chanting along. Sanskrit echoes rose one after another, creating quite an impressive spectacle.
To the south, the Interception Sect camp was the plainest of all.
There were no Water Mirrors, nor were there any porridge sheds.
There were only rows upon rows of enormous temporary tents, along with mountains of food and medicinal supplies.
Zhao Gongming held an account book as he checked